The Israeli cabinet tonight approved a unliteral cease fire to take effect at 2am on Friday, after 11 days of military action. Hamas has said it will uphold a "mutual and simultaenous truce" with Israel.
The agreement is believed to have been mediated primarily by Egypt.
Meanwhile, Israel's president has warned about the wave of antisemitism seen internationally since the current violence began.
“We must show zero tolerance for all forms of antisemitism and extremist hate,” Reuven RIvlin told American Jewish leaders this evening.
“Governments must do all they can, from physical security to law enforcement and from education to adopting International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [definition of antisemitism] in order to combat this threat.”
Gaza terrorists struck southern Israel with heavy rocket fire today, launching some 300 rockets since this morning, causing residents to be confined to shelters for long periods.
The Iron Dome shot down most of the missiles, though some landed, causing damage - including significant harm to a building after one Beersheba strike - and at least one injury.
Israel has been pounding Gaza targets throughout the day. “Since this morning, the IDF has struck approximately 30 rocket launching posts in the Gaza Strip, located above and below ground, several of which were armed and aimed at Israeli communities,” the military said in a statement.
“In addition, the IDF struck a number of terror operatives while they were launching rockets into Israeli territory.”
Israel welcomed international visitors today, who came on a diplomatic solidarity visit of sorts.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has visited a rocket-damaged building, received a security briefing and spoken in support of Israel’s right to self-defence. “We denounce Hamas’ attacks,” he told Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. “It is completely unacceptable. Israel has the right to defend itself and Hamas is responsible for the escalation.”
Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek and Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok are also touring the country and showing support.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that a drone downed in northern Israel was Iranian, in a bid to underscore the role of Iran in actions against Israel.
He showed the foreign ministers a wing from an Iranian UAV that was identified and downed in the Beit Shean area two days ago and started: "The support for Hamas and Islamic Jihad comes from Iran.
“If you take away Iranian support, both of them would collapse in two weeks. Iran not only supports these various terrorist proxies, it actually engages itself in armed attacks against Israel. And here's proof."
